Interview with Jillian Roring of The Ice Captain’s Daughter and author S.G. Rogers

Tooling around London today, I had the pleasure to have tea with a sweet young lady who I’m sure many of you have heard of her before: Jillian Roring. She’s the daughter of the infamous Ice Captain. Well, you know how the London gossips can be so I thought, while I was able to have her as a captive audience, I’d get the real scoop. Here’s what she (and her pal author S. G. Rogers) told me….

Hi Jillian! Thanks for being here. I know you’ve had a heck of a time recently, so I appreciate it.

Jillian Roring: Yes, thank you, Miss Revezzo. I have had a rather adventuresome time of it, but fortunately my scar is now barely visible at all.

Glad to hear you’re doing better. Why don’t you tell us how it all started? You were heading to your very first Season in London, but something sidetracked those plans, I hear?

Jillian: My story seems unbelievable to me, as I sit here in this warm, comfortable drawing room, but my carriage was actually waylaid by a highwayman! I could scarcely believe it, since it’s 1899 and highwaymen rarely appear anymore.

Shocking, you’re right! Who woulda thought? Thank God for Mackenzie Logan! Speaking of the gentleman, what’d you really think of Mackenzie when he first showed up? Seems to me you’re a resourceful girl. You almost had that brigand in hand.

Jillian: I’m not a sea captain’s daughter for nothing! I was determined to escape the lout, and almost did… until he grabbed the back of my skirt and held me fast. The blackguard was pulling back toward the woods when Mr. Logan appeared with a shotgun. Although Mr. Logan looked a bit like a wooly bear at that point, I was ever so glad to see him.

Awww….he’s more teddy bear than wooly bear, I’m sure! What’d you think when you first heard the rumors of Mackenzie’s philandering?

Jillian: The rumors rather put me off, to be completely honest. Although I must admit, after Mr. Logan had shaved off his beard and changed his clothes, I could scarcely stop looking at him.

Oh yeah. I mean who wouldn’t? He’s so cute!!! Now for a wicked question: If you could go and choose any of his friends, which would it be?

Jillian: Mr. Hawkins, who is Mr. Logan’s particular friend and neighbor, is a gentlemanly sort of man, and pleasant company. Please don’t tell anyone, but my feelings for him could never be quite so warm as they are for Mr. Logan.

Your secret’s safe with…oops! I guess not! Sorry. At any rate, you’re no stranger to the papers are you? The gossip about your father for instance, the Ice Captain, is quite intriguing, tell us the truth, is he as infamous as he seems?

Jillian: I’m given to understand from my Aunt Letty, that the ladies were simply mad for him during the Season he met my mother. His fair coloring and handsome good looks have something to do with it! Plus, I think there’s something about a sea captain that sets the imagination on fire.

Oh, I agree. Finally, the papers have been buzzing about you two lately, care to divulge any future plans between you and Mackenzie?

Jillian: Oh, Miss Revezzo! Despite my regard for you, I beg you not to force a confidence.

Oh all right. I won’t twist your arm.

Jillian: I am determined, however, not to marry unless it is to a man who adores me as much as my father adored my mother.

Honestly I agree. That is the best way to go. ;) So we’ll just hope it’s with Mackenzie. Dreamy gentleman that he is. And one for your creatrix: S.G. dear what are we really looking forward to in Jillian and Mackenzie’s future? Can you give us a hint? And for those who haven’t read The Ice Captain’s Daughter, care to give us a little taste?

S.G. Rogers: It’s so hard for young ladies and gentlemen in London society, especially when they aren’t prepared for interference from gossips and rivals… most especially from scheming former fiancées such as Sophia Watkins! Here’s a small preview, so you can see what I mean for yourself:

Excerpt:

“Your papa…he’s the Ice Captain, is he not?” Sophia asked.

Jillian smiled. The nickname never failed to delight her. “Yes.”

“You might not want to mention that to anyone else.”

“Why not?”

Sophia wrinkled her pert nose. “I’m sure he’s a very good sort of man but importing ice is an awful lot like being in trade.”

Shocked, Jillian didn’t know how to respond. Sophia mistook her expression for fear.

“Oh, don’t worry. We’re friends, so your secret is safe with me.”

“I thank you, truly, but I don’t have anything to conceal as far as my father is concerned.”

Sophie gave Jillian a pretty little pout, as if she were a small child who’d just been caught doing something naughty. “Please don’t be vexed with me. Mama says I blurt out truths in an unvarnished fashion and it’s frightfully rude.

****

Sophia sounds like a complete…erm, not very nice person! I’m sure, Jillian, you will get the upper hand eventually! Thanks for spending some time with me today.

Folks, I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I! Here’s just a tad more about Jillian’s story.

The daughter of a wealthy ice merchant, Miss Jillian Roring intends to marry for love. En route to her first Season in London, however, a failed kidnapping sends her into the arms of the most jaded bachelor in England. When Logan and Jillian unwittingly violate the rigid rules of propriety in Victorian-era England, he is obliged to make her an offer of marriage. Because she aspires to be more than an obligation, Jillian refuses the match. Logan follows her to London to woo her properly, but his scheming ex-fiancée has other plans.

Can Logan convince Jillian that his love for her is real or will the cruel gossip and sharp tongues of London society tear their budding relationship apart?